Tuesday, February 28, 2017

Such a fun time of year-- warm weather is on its way AND there is a huge sale where you can get a few new pieces for the new season while saving money. Major win! There are a TON of items on the Shopbop website. I went through all of the pages to find my top favorite items to share with you!

The sale is good on both full-price and sale items. Now through March 4th! Note that there are exclusions (but amazingly enough, Tory Burch is included!!!)! My favorite thing about ordering from Shopbop is that if you have Amazon Prime (best $99 I ever spent!!) then you get free 2-day shipping, just like other prime items. It's so fast, it's amazing!

I say this every year, but my favorite cashmere wrap is included in this sale and if there ever was a time to buy, it's most definitely now as it rarely goes on sale (also there are two colors on sale here)! It's a splurge, but I already own 3. They're truly the best things I've ever purchased. Between keeping me cozy on flights, warming me up when paired with my winter coats, wrapped around me while in a cocktail dress, or even just used as a blanket at a sporting event or while on the boat in Georgia, they're perfect for everything.

Ferragamo on sale!!!!

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Luckily, they're both equally stylish as well as functional. We're headed into the rainy season and I think it's good to be prepared. I'm totally one of 'those people' who always carries an umbrella in my bag even when it is sunny, because, hey, you never know!

I wanted to show you how I typically style a rainy day outfit to hopefully give you some inspiration. On rainy days, all I want to do is curl up in bed with my coffee and a book, however, that's usually not an option. So, to make myself feel better, I always try to look 'good' when it's raining instead of throwing on workout clothes and running out the door! This is an easy, comfortable outfit but still looks great for tackling the day.

You last saw me style this Barbour Ashby jacket in a super casual weekend 'city' way (see post here) and this time, It's more of a classic look with a touch of preppy influence. If you don't have a Barbour jacket, I cannot recommend one more. Guy or gal, young or old, regardless of your personal style, they are perfect for everyone. I can always count on Barbour for something extremely high quality and well-made in a style that will never 'go out'.

What are your favorite rainy day essentials? Can you believe tomorrow is March?! Bring on spring!!

Monday, February 27, 2017

Today I'm sharing this cute little long sleeved shift dress in navy blue. It makes for a really great 'wear right now' item since it has long sleeves and can be transitioned easily as the temps warm up. I love how easy it is to wear. You don't really need to accessorize-- it's one of those throw-on-and-go pieces. For fit, I think it runs a little small and you should definitely size up if you have a larger chest. I'm wearing a size 2 but think I could have definitely worn a 4.

I also really wanted to highlight something that I think is a wardrobe staple for all women: a nude pump. Whether you work in a conservative office, are a frequent wedding guest, or just want a shoe that will make your legs appear longer, you can't go wrong with a classic nude pump.

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The pumps I am wearing are the Jimmy Choo esme pump. They are super comfortable and really easy to wear because they just blend into my legs. I looked for a pair that was super similar to my skin tone so that the pumps would have a leg lengthening effect! I have rounded up a bunch of great nude pump options for you to look through. They're all different shades of nude and are also at all different price points as well as heel height.

In my opinion, if you are deciding whether or not to splurge or save on a nude pump, I'd suggest investing in a high-quality pair. I get so much wear out of these shoes so it was necessary that they were extremely comfortable and would also last for years to come! As boring as they may seem to some, I actually like having them in my closet as a 'safety' shoe. They always work with an outfit where I'm not sure what type of shoe works. It's nice to always have that in my arsenal!

This pump is one I would definitely recommend as I have it in several colors. In the price spectrum, it falls somewhere in between a save and a splurge, but the quality and comfort can't be beat! If you want to splurge, I think these are about as classic as you can get. They have a 105mm version, which is what I have my eye on in a few colors (one can dream) but if your feet are sensitive to heels and you're looking for something you can wear through a 9-5 work day, I'd definitely recommend scaling back and getting the 70mm version!

Saturday, February 25, 2017

Today's post is a little late-- the week and weekend got away from me! The absolutely gorgeous weather had me out and about. Last night I met friends at Tako, one of my absolute favorite Pittsburgh restaurants for drinks and dinner (tried a new margarita there which was pineapple jalapeno and it was SO good, definitely going to be my go-to from now on!). Then, we headed to a new brewery, Southern Tier, and finished off the night at Tequila Cowboy. Tequila Cowboy is always packed and a little crazy, but they have a 90's bar which is my favorite! It was one of those nights where we were just planning on doing happy hour and it ended up being so nice out that we kept going! Those are the best kinds of weekends, don't you think?!

I'm not a beer fan, but I shared a beer flight at Southern Tier with one of my besties and I actually ended up really liking two of the beers I tried. The first was the imperial ginger beer which tasted just like a moscow mule! It was light and refreshing. I also really loved the raspberry white which was a pale ale. It was pinkish in color but not too sweet.

Tonight, I am headed up to Mt. Washington for cocktails and dinner. This morning was a little gross and rainy, but the afternoon has turned out to be quite pleasant, so hopefully we'll be able to take in a gorgeous view of the city!

Anyway, I didn't want to miss out on sharing my favorites from this past week because I did a lot of shopping browsing ;). Better late than never, right? I have a trip to the Bahamas next week, so I am excited to rock bright, summery pieces and these are some of the things that have caught my eye!

Friday, February 24, 2017

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I don't do weekly themes, but it seems as if this week's was 'how to wear white in the winter' (as also seen on Tuesday). I'm using the term 'winter' loosely here, though, because although it's most definitely, technically winter, this week felt like late spring! Here in Pittsburgh, we have had nothing but warm temps (in the 60s and even 70s!) and have had way more sun than usual. And I am SO not complaining. I made sure to soak it up and enjoy every second of it! Even today is absolutely gorgeous and warm so I am going to meet some friends later for outdoor happy hour. If you're from Pittsburgh you know how insanely unusal sitting outside in February really is!

Anyway, I'm big on wearing white year round. It's crisp and an easy neutral. Today I'm sharing how to 'winterize' your white jeans. Basically, if you swapped out the booties for sandals, this would totally work in June, but since I added a darker color, suede bootie, this really tones down the summer vibe and makes it much more seasonably appropriate.

And did I mention these booties are gorgeous and totally leg lengthening and are under $60 (use code BYEFEBRUARY to get $10 off your order). Such a good price for the quality (they're actually sold at a ton of different retailers, but this is the least pricey available!!). Buy now, wear now or even just save for next fall! They're super comfortable, especially when you take into account the heel height. They come in many colors, too, so there's a shade that will definitely work well within your wardrobe! They run slightly small, so I would suggest sizing a up a half size!

Also, I've written about these jeans a million times in past posts, but now that spring/summer is coming, if you don't have a great pair of white pants, these should be your first pick! They are entirely opaque, the pockets don't show through and the fit is amazing. They hit right at the ankle and have a bit of stretch but not too much that they're baggy by the end of the day! I've also been able to get any and every stain out of them with ease, too. They run true to size. I'm wearing a size 27, which is my typical jean size!

And lastly, because it's Friday and you've all got things to do (hopefully fun things!!), this striped shirt is currently on sale under $50. It's a great update on your typical classic shirt. It's ever so slighty cropped and the slight flare of the sleeves really bring it into 2017!

Thursday, February 23, 2017

Can you believe this is the last 'Lately' post of February? Bring on March! Knock on wood, but we've had a seriously mild winter here in Pittsburgh. This week, it's been unseasonably warm and this past weekend SO much sun! It really gets me excited for spring and all of the fun outfits that come with it.

Sale-ing: This boiled cashmere sweater that I instagrammed the other day is definitely one of the most worn sweaters in my closet. I got it at the very beginning of the fall season. It's boiled cashmere and incredibly soft. It's unstructured but has a very chic feel to it because of the slight mockneck and swing bottom. It was originally around $400, but now it's down under $160! It's a major steal at that price and I couldn't recommend it more. I'm wearing a size small for reference.Listening: I am so excited about this. Coldplay and The Chainsmokers released a song together, Something Just Like This. It's. SO. GOOD. I've already started on my March playlist because February's was getting too full. I made it public so you can start listening now!

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Sale-ing II: The Nordstrom sale is still in full swing and there are some really great prices. I've shared my favorites in the widget above. There are a lot of great cashmere pieces at low price points!

Designing: Are you following along with me on Pinterest? I have been pinning interior inspiration like crazy lately. I mentioned in Saturday's post that decorating kind of took a back seat for me, but now I'm working towards getting everything 'perfect'. This past weekend, I went to Ethan Allen and finally picked out an upholstered chair and ottoman with custom pillows. I'm so excited to see the final product. The best part? When you shop at Ethan Allen, a decorator comes to your home to recommend where to put things and what fabrics to use, etc. It's a total game changer!

Wanting: I'm off to the Bahamas in just a little over a week, so I've been stocking up on all things warm weather!!

Loving: My mom's friend, Laura gave me this gel nail kit. I've mentioned how in the past I used to get my nails done every two weeks religiously. Ever since moving downtown, it's become more of a hassle to go to my favorite salon, so my visits are less frequent. This Gel Moment kit is the perfect compromise- it's definitely a few steps above your typical at-home manicure! It comes with a few gel polish colors and a mini light that will give you salon-quality gel. I've been using this in between appointments and love it (it lasts a full two weeks just like a typical salon gel manicure)! When my friends come over, they love using it, too. You can order the kit, here. There are all sorts of price levels so you can pick and choose what you want, I have this kit and couldn't recommend it more!

Pittsburgh-ing: This weekend, we went to Lidia's in Pittsburgh's Strip District. It's been in Pittsburgh for a long time, but whenever I ask anyone about it, I have heard that it's 'tired', so I've never made it a priority on my list. My sister chose the restaurant and I am SO glad. I love love loved the food. The atmosphere is really fun and funky, too. It was also packed, so I'm glad we made a reservation ahead of time! I got the pasta trio and it was phenomenal. Everything is homemade and you get unlimited portions. We were all stuffed after dinner! I definitely recommend Lidia's, it's now one of my top Pittsburgh favorites! You can see more of my Pittsburgh favorites, here.

Obsessing:These adorable mule shoes. They come in a few amazing colors and are just about as versatile as can be. At under $100, they're a steal too!Recommending: I am going to do an updated beauty product post because I haven't done one in a while, but you all need to know about this incredible foundation ASAP. It's definitely full coverage foundation, but the finish is matte and flawless. I've always wondered how celebrities look so amazing and almost pore-less and they must be using this because it's a miracle! It is liquid and easy to blend, but dries really fast so the only thing you need to make sure to do is to work quickly! I bought the brush that the makeup artist used on me because I think that's half the reason it goes on so beautifully!Laughing: I am usually not one to shy away from spending on beauty/skincare. However, I came across these Chanel cotton pads and literally laughed aloud. For $20 you can get 100 cotton rounds with the interlocking C's stamped into them. But the real kicker is that there are a ton of 5-star reviews-- people love them! You can get 100 'premium' cotton rounds at Target for around $3.

Wednesday, February 22, 2017

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Last year, you saw me style 2 different midi skirts (one// two)... I guess that was the beginning of my infatuation. They're ladylike, but not as structured as your typical fit-and-flare skirt. I think they're appropriate for a multitude of occasions. You can see I styled it casually in the summer, here, for a cocktail party in the fall, here, and now during the winter!

From work to a party to a dinner date, this outfit works for all of that and more. Plus, midi skirts can be worn year round and are beyond comfortable! I also love that they give an illusion of a lengthened bottom half. I'm about average height (5'6"), but I have rather short legs, so I really love when something gives me a big of length!

I tried out the flare sleeve trend again (see my last attempt here) and love this simple black top. It's just your basic, classic top but the bell sleeves add some fun! I always write about how I don't like to spend on trendy items and this one is no exception. At well under $100, I thought it was definitely a keeper! It runs true to size and I am wearing a size small.

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We're just about done with the worst of winter (cue the happy tears) and there's a light at the end of the tunnel (especially after the gorgeously sunny and warm weather this weekend!). I got this white skirt at the beginning of the winter and can't believe how much wear I have gotten out of it!

When you think of a bright white skirt, you may think that it is only appropriate during the summer months, but I think there's something so chic about incorporating white into your winter wardrobe. This skirt is well made and gorgeous in person (runs TTS, I'm in a size 2). Plus, the fit is adorable with the slight fit and flare shape. I know I'll get a ton of wear this summer, too (with navy tops!). I'm all about pieces that can transition through all of the seasons because that's really how you get your money's worth!

The key to winterizing a warm weather piece is to make it as simple as possible. When you have too many colors and textures going on, the piece really becomes noticeably out of place. However, if you stick to a simple color palette and the let warm weather piece be the key feature, it looks great!

Also, right now is the time to shop winter items because they are all on major sale. I love this faux fur vest (on sale) and it paired so nicely with this outfit. The length hits exactly where my skirt ends so it looks very chic and put together. I also love it with leggings and a blouse-y top!